As President Donald Trump stepped onto an escalator at the United Nations building in New York City in September 2025, the escalator suddenly stopped moving, a moment that made headlines and fueled conspiracy theories. The President and First Lady Melania were left no choice but to climb on foot, an incident that led many to wonder if someone had intentionally caused the stoppage.
Trump’s response was typical of him—he joked about the malfunction in his speech, noting that the escalator stopped “right in the middle.” Online discussions questioned why Trump’s security team didn’t act quickly to protect him during the unexpected pause, concerned about potential threats.
However, an official statement by the UN clarified the cause: a safety feature had been triggered, most likely by a videographer from the US delegation filming backward on the escalator steps. This safety function is designed to stop the escalator to prevent accidents or injuries.
When the escalator came to a sudden halt, Secret Service just looked around hoping someone would fix the problem.
That wasn’t supposed to happen and it turned Trump into a stationary target. Why did they not cover and evacuate him immediately? pic.twitter.com/Crtg2yPKbq
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) September 23, 2025
The delayed response of security was explained by the controlled environment and intense screening processes already in place. The White House demanded that if the escalator was turned off intentionally, those responsible should face dismissal and investigation.
Ultimately, it was a case of technology doing its job—but not without stirring public intrigue and debate.
